Shining Ones
Kindred Essay: The Shining Ones
Typically, in the Celtic reaches of ADF, when one hears of the Shining Ones, it is safe to assume that it is the Tuatha deDannan that are being discussed. Those fourth invaders of Ireland, those who headed under the mounds and became the Sidhe. But, in an effort to cover our collective posteriors, we have included the “known to us and unknown” clause, you know, just in case we missed a memo.
In the Norse zip code, the Shining Ones are the Aesir and, often, the Vanir. They are those descended from Bor whose children slew Ymir and created the world from his remains. A little grim, but by no means uncommon behavior for gods and goddesses.
In my personal practice I find the Shining Ones hard to connect with in any meaningful way. I was grateful that when I was Senior Druid of GOSH my relationship with our Grove Patrons became formal. In a way the gods had to respond to me since I was the diplomat coming to them on behalf of people they were interested in talking to. Once the mantle of SD-ship passed however, my personal devotions went as unregarded as before. Admittedly, that doesn't bother me in the way I suspect it should. I tend toward animism and the majority of my bond-forging and deal-making has been directed toward Spirits of the Land.
From what research into Indo-European religion as I have done I think I am not entirely out of line with I-E practice. It strikes me that plenty of folk worked with the spirits that were nearby and household deities and left the gods to “them what brung 'em,” namely clergy.
Nevertheless, I knew that forming connections with the Shining Ones is part of the Druid's Path and I am not entirely ignoring that part. I honor Frigg on most Fridays at a small shrine situated on top of my stove. In modern life the stove is as much the hearth of the household as the kitchen sink is the Well (and yes, I do have a small Ancestor shrine over my sink). On Fridays, after I've done the dishes, for lore tells us Frigg is particular about housework, I light a candle and some incense and ask Frigg to bless our home and all who are invited inside it. Over time, I will admit to feeling a certain simpatico with Frigg and her reputation for being taciturn fits in with the response I expect to receive from deity.
Typically, in the Celtic reaches of ADF, when one hears of the Shining Ones, it is safe to assume that it is the Tuatha deDannan that are being discussed. Those fourth invaders of Ireland, those who headed under the mounds and became the Sidhe. But, in an effort to cover our collective posteriors, we have included the “known to us and unknown” clause, you know, just in case we missed a memo.
In the Norse zip code, the Shining Ones are the Aesir and, often, the Vanir. They are those descended from Bor whose children slew Ymir and created the world from his remains. A little grim, but by no means uncommon behavior for gods and goddesses.
In my personal practice I find the Shining Ones hard to connect with in any meaningful way. I was grateful that when I was Senior Druid of GOSH my relationship with our Grove Patrons became formal. In a way the gods had to respond to me since I was the diplomat coming to them on behalf of people they were interested in talking to. Once the mantle of SD-ship passed however, my personal devotions went as unregarded as before. Admittedly, that doesn't bother me in the way I suspect it should. I tend toward animism and the majority of my bond-forging and deal-making has been directed toward Spirits of the Land.
From what research into Indo-European religion as I have done I think I am not entirely out of line with I-E practice. It strikes me that plenty of folk worked with the spirits that were nearby and household deities and left the gods to “them what brung 'em,” namely clergy.
Nevertheless, I knew that forming connections with the Shining Ones is part of the Druid's Path and I am not entirely ignoring that part. I honor Frigg on most Fridays at a small shrine situated on top of my stove. In modern life the stove is as much the hearth of the household as the kitchen sink is the Well (and yes, I do have a small Ancestor shrine over my sink). On Fridays, after I've done the dishes, for lore tells us Frigg is particular about housework, I light a candle and some incense and ask Frigg to bless our home and all who are invited inside it. Over time, I will admit to feeling a certain simpatico with Frigg and her reputation for being taciturn fits in with the response I expect to receive from deity.